Nor’easter Forecast In Holmdel-Hazlet: What To Expect

HOLMDEL-HAZLET, NJ – A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Monmouth County on Wednesday, producing more plowable snow or heavy rain and packing 35 to 55-mph winds.

The National Weather Service is now labeling the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it's expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Wednesday.

“The weather forecast is looking snowy for tomorrow evening. We are expecting anywhere between 4 to 12 inches,” the Hazlet Township Police Department wrote Tuesday. “This being said, please keep in mind your vehicle, basketball hoop, or any other items must be removed from the street in order [to] allow a snow plow to properly pass through … most importantly if it is not necessary to go out during the storm: DON’T.”

The Holmdel Township Police Department similarly noted that parking is prohibited on snow-covered streets in the municipality.

Holmdel Township's recycling pick-up will be suspended Thursday, Dec. 17. A make-up date is scheduled for Dec. 19.

The storm will be fierce enough to knock down power lines and cause power outages and other damage, packing gale-force winds as strong as 35 to 55 mph across the state between 7 a.m. on Wednesday and 7 a.m. on Thursday.

Here are additional expected snow totals:

Road Safety

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Monmouth County is in a unique situation with this snow storm, with some of our southern towns predicted to get as little as one inch of snow and some our northern towns predicted to get up to ten inches between noon today and 2 p.m. tomorrow,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.

“The forecasted amounts may change over the course of the day and overnight, but I am here to let you know that Monmouth County is ready for whatever this storm brings.”

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders report that initial crews from the County’s Department of Public Works & Engineering pre-treated critical infrastructure with liquid salt brine in order to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road surface. Later in the day on Wednesday, road crews will be applying rock salt treated with magnesium chloride, which the Freeholders say is environmentally friendly and does not burn the grass, roadside vegetation or cause corrosion.

“Our snow command center will be in operation for the duration of the storm and the County has the ability to put into service 250 trucks and equipment to combat snowstorms,” said Arnone. “The County also has 31,000 tons of treated salt and 135,000 gallons of salt brine available for use during this storm.”

When the county distributes brine to local roads, it applies 8 gallons of a 28 percent salinity salt brine for every lane mile.

Monmouth County’s Shade Tree Commission and Traffic Safety crews are on standby to remove downed tree limbs and assist with the reactivation and repair of traffic control devices.

“We ask our residents and commuters to stay home if possible, use caution on the roadways, give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and extend distance to snow and ice control trucks,” said Arnone.

Power Outages

AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

“Monmouth and Ocean counties are expected to see a wintry mix of rain and sleet, plus coastal wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour from this storm," said Todd Meyers, a spokesman for the area's electric provider, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

"Those are the types of conditions that can topple trees into our facilities and cause outages. So while it is too early to tell exactly where outages will occur and how long they might last, we are on the lookout for problems nearer the Shore."

To that end, JCP&L already told its line workers to be ready to work 16-hour shifts Wednesday and Thursday. Crews from JCP&L parent company FirstEnergy in Ohio were already headed to New Jersey on Tuesday.

AccuWeather is warning of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

During severe weather, customers who are without power can call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com
JCP&L customers can view town-by-town outages in Monmouth County here: FirstEnergy Storm Center NJ

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Snow and/or rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow and/or rain. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of two to 14 inches possible.
• Thursday: A chance of snow before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

With reporting by Carly Baldwin.